Aug 2021 - half way there!

[HopefulB]

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@Champson - EDD 22 August (but really June/July), TBC 💖💖💖
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

@PurplePansy05 I saw a good idea on Pinterest, which is to put a screen door on the nursery. That way you can keep the door open but the cats out - I have two very large fluffy cats who love snuggling and I’m sure they will try to climb in anything!

The baby monitor talk is so useful - it's one of the next things on my list! We have friends who have a video one that connects to an app and when they stayed with us last summer it was great that their baby could sleep in their room and they could see him while down with us, so my inclination was always to go that way - so hearing some of the downsides of video is useful food for thought. @alittlexmasmagic I had never thought of the WiFi issue - we're quite rural and frankly may as well not have WiFi half the time so avoiding a beeping one will be a priority I think! I haven't yet thought about sleep training really - I suspect I might come under a bit of pressure from my mum as she did cry it out with me and my sisters at about 6 weeks... (not my plan at all!!), but we have a cosleeper so will definitely use that to start off with.

Hmm. I might hold fire with buying a monitor for now and give it a bit more thought. I have the Chicco Next to Me and a cot bed, the bedroom (once done one day) is big enough to have either close to our bed. Maybe it would be best for him to sleep with us for the first year and then I can figure out whether to buy a monitor for his nursery and what I want it to do. Using one for travelling definitely sounds a good idea, @biscuitcat.

They are sooo expensive I think definitely worth having a look at second hand ones, although typically only the recent ones have certain features. xx

@PurplePansy05 I used the tommee tippee movement and video monitor for ds
It had a sensor pad that went under the mattress and has a video monitor. There's a wee light on the video monitor that flashes every time the mat detects a movement. You can also disconnect the mat and just use the video monitor.
I used the sensor mat from ds came home from hospital despite the fact that he was right beside me. It reassured me and I found it was nice that if I woke during the night I could look at the monitor and see the light flash and then go back to sleep easier. In saying that ds was in nicu when born and had had brachicardia episodes where he would pause breathing - nicu were never concerned with these they would just silence the monitor and check he'd started again which he always had. We did have a few false alarms whether this was him pausing in his breathing or just being in a deep sleep and the monitor not picking it up im not sure. But overall I figured i was happier to be woken to check him but that's personal preference. Dh hated it and wanted to turn it off from early on - we kept the movement pass until ds was over a year when he was genuinely moving off it too often. We still use the video part with him though in truth he's 3 and we are right next door so we don't really need it anymore. It's helpful when I can talk over the monitor to remind ds that the sun on his gro clock is not up at 530am and he needs to get back into bed! 🙈

Thank you @Smurf123, I didn't even know TT do monitors!

I did look at some of the AngelCare ones, but also found this one and it seems to have raving reviews:
www.argos.co.uk/product/8802932?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ixitixtpr&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7cacid:629-618-1342%7ccid:9563523546%7cagid:102230967550%7ctid:pla-890270434464%7ccrid:423314715317%7cnw:g%7crnd:6012704148003612521%7cdvc:m%7cadp:%7cmt:%7cloc:1007410&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=9563523546&utm_term=8802932&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=102230967550&utm_custom2=629-618-1342&gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjnjbk5ioekQY4Jq0-XovhZfgySsJuLS08Tw4t8LhayFJl7IgALSnhgaAqE5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Any thoughts on this? xx

@biscuitcat it might be possible to buy some boosters to sort your WiFi signal. Worth a look at before being stuck feeding at 3am without access 😂.
With regards sleep training, there are many methods which you can look at if needed, I did controlled crying. No need to worry about it just yet x

The resounding comments I got from everyone is that baby monitor battery life is terrible across the board. The video camera was good for friends when they put baby down to bed and could check whether she was sleeping etc so could keep an eye without going into her room.

Obviously I have no experience with these breathing monitors but what a friend said in respect of giving a false sense of security- ie you look over and it says baby is breathing, you’re comforted by that and go back to sleep... but I don’t think these things are 100%, so you’re more likely to take the machines word for it when maybe shouldn’t, if that makes sense? I think I’m too paranoid for one but those reviews on the one linked above suggest they bring a lot of peace of mind!

The basic audio only ones tend to have decent battery life - easily over a day or two, but yes anything with a screen is short, and second hand will reduce this further because lithium-ion batteries really don't like being overcharged so being sat on a charging station for 20 hours out of 24 and then kept off it for 4 hours a day just kills them over a year or so of doing that. There's no good solution for that unless the manufacturer builds in a trickle charge vs fast charge option but I don't know of any that do this. Although actually, what is great with the audio monitor we have (Angelcare but some really old model now) is that it uses normal rechargable AAA batteries in the parent unit, so if they really run down to the point the battery life is too low we can just chuck them away and replace them really cheaply/easily, although we haven't had to do that yet in 2+ years. Whereas something with a unique battery is going to be hard to do that on.

I don't think features have changed massively on baby monitors in the last 4/5 years or so unless it's the Hero or Owlet you're looking at which have only been available in the UK for the last year or so. But sometimes people don't use monitors that long so they still tend to be in good condition when sold unless they've done 2+ kids with the same one.

If you do think you'll have 2 kids longer term in different rooms then it's worth looking for systems that let you add extra cameras to be able to check via one screen unit as that will future proof you.

Just got back from my scan baby is a girl!!

I'm so annoyed that I can't find the pink heart!!!

I need to go back for another scan on 28th as they couldn't see baby drinking, or their diaphragm!! Very pleases I get another scan!!

So sorry to hear of your family troubles, I can't imagine treating my daughter the way and of your family members have acted!!!

We have a video monitor (bt 6000) and still use it now she’s over two. Personally I couldn’t be without it but I think it done of those personal preference things. We started putting her down at 7pm when she was about 8 weeks old upstairs. I know this goes against advice but it worked best for us. We could then know when to go to her. She still slept in with us so it was only for naps though and early evening. She was a TERRIBLE sleeper though so take from that what you will 😂 I actually still have terrible anxiety over her sleep now even though she’s so good now, but the video monitor helps me know she’s ok.

@wimbler omg jealous! DS bedtime was midnight as we stayed up as last as possible so it was one less feed to do during sleep!

@lucyrp oh be under no impression that was when she went to sleep and stayed asleep! We just tried to start a bedtime routine early on. She would sometimes be awake for hours and hours and at her worst I was feeding every 45 mins and falling asleep in an armchair out of sheer exhaustion 😂 to be honest I’ve sort of “forgotten” all that 🙈

I’ve just fully caught up and I’m so sorry reading all the family issues affecting so many of you! Your babies are lucky to have you 💕

@PurplePansy05 so you and I are totally on same page with car seats, do you mind if I ask why you’ve chosen maxi cosy over cybex sirona? Appreciate probably just personal preference but thought worth asking if anything stood out? We’ve got our JL meeting at the end of the month so excited to try some stuff out.

And I’ve been looking at baby monitors now and I like the camera idea but I think we’re going to buy post babies arrival- see what (if any) sleeping routine there is because I imagine it’s not needed the first few weeks and then we can figure out who is sleeping where and what we need!

@LyraShaeLilly yay congratulations on your girl 💖 they check the baby is drinking?! Who knew. Amazing what they can see in there!

A quick message as there is bound to be someone else on here not keen on clipping baby's nails - my MW mentioned this little thing to me and I thought yes! I'm getting it later on. I've just googled it and they have 20% off for the next hour or so (think they must have had an offer all day) if anyone's interested:

minimani.store/products/minimani-baby-nail-file

xx

Congratulations @LyraShaeLilly! 💖 Glad all went well!

@Inmypjsagain in all honesty, the JL assistant has swayed us because she said they are both excellent but all of JL staff including her have always struggled with removing Cybex Cloud Z from the swivel base and also with moving the base between cars. That is something we might need to be doing and so for that reason we will likely go with MaxiCosi. However, I've not discussed Sirona Z with her mind - that's because we were thinking about Sirona Z as the next seat up after Cloud Z and tbh haven't got as far as this in our conversation. She has also quite rightly said that despite Cybex Cloud Z having the supposedly 180 degrees recline option, it doesn't actually recline entirely flat because it's padded and in any event this doesn't change the advice about how long a newborn and then a bigger baby can stay in a car seat safely - this is also to do with the obvious restriction in movement which will always happen in any car seat. I thought this was very helpful. She spoke very highly of Cybex Cloud Z however - so that is still a contender and we will be trying it out this weekend. If you have any more questions fire away, we may have covered the same stuff with her! xx

I should have added, she said MC 360 seats are very easy to remove in comparison and that all her colleagues have already had a good go at them and all rated them very highly. xx

That's interesting as I did sometimes struggle to get the Cybex onto the base when demoing it. Not tried the maxi cosi obviously, but their other seats are really easy to get on and off the bases.

And the Sirona (toddler seat) is really tricky to get on if you don't get the angle just right. Although that's less of an issue because you're not doing it all the time. The Cybex base has a little raised part at the back of it which gets in the way which might be the problem.

@HopefulB

Hope all is well with you and baby, how was tour scan? I remember it being the same date as mine?

I know @Ghhh has scan tomorrow but after that have we all had our scans? Xx

@LottSE20 What do you mean by screen doors? We are changing all interior doors so might be very good timing for this but I don't know what they are? xx

@wimbler I’m so glad that you’ve done the same that I did, Ive always been preached to from “perfect” mothers that I was doing the wrong thing. My daughter used to fall asleep so we would eat tea and the smell would wake her up so I never got to eat. We decided at 9 weeks to put her down at 7, upstairs with our Motorola video monitor (my absolute favourite purchase!) she still woke for normal feeds and slept in our room. She got in such a good routine that from 6 months she slept through - went in to her own room - and has ever since.

Knowing my luck baby 2 will not be as amazing at sleeping!!

Hello, hope its ok to join as a first time mum due on 4 August. Had a bit of a tough day today as the hormones have started to really kick off I keep getting a very tight stomach in the evenings that makes things very uncomfortable but I think it might just be practice contractions. Does anyone else get that?

I've been lucky that I've had a fairly uneventful pregnancy so far. I'm 37 so I get growth scans which I'm happy to get to see my baby girl more before the birth. She's currently having a rare old time kicking away and keeping me awake. Not that I'm sleeping especially well just now. We're moving house in 5 weeks so it's a bit stressful just now.

Hope to keep an eye on this thread and chat to ladies in the same boat. I'm based in Scotland.

@wimbler we had a bedtime routine with a wash then clean pjs etc but we always kept him downstairs with us and I found myself going to bed later and later just so there was one less time to wake up in the night 😩🙈 I honestly can't remember what he was like sleeping but think he was pretty good, sayinf that I'm sure I didn't wake sometimes and my OH just used to attach him to my boob while I was still asleep 😂

@PurplePansy05 I think there are lots of types but basically like something you have in other countries to keep insects out - I think some will attach on the inside of a normal door and others would be instead of.

www.lynzyandco.com/5-reasons-put-screen-door-babys-room/

@Ready2020 welcome and congratulations! Sorry to hear the house move is stressful, they often are at that stage.

@LottSE20 Oh wow! I've never thought of that! I used to call this the mosquito door when I was younger haha! 😂 That's a really interesting idea actually. I'm going to read up on this, one of my cats is a climber so I need to see if she could damage it or not, but you may have just given me a genius idea for the future here. Thanks!! xx